Dear friend, It is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi in the Kaveri River basin districts of Tanjore and Trichi when the water level in the river rises significantly. Aadiperukku, water ritual through religious practice: In India the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, Cauvery and Gothavari are considered sacred. Just like the earth gives us food, water is considered as a sacred necessity to meet the needs of individuals. People began to worship water in the form of wells, tanks and rivers. It is common among Hindus in India to throw fruits, saffron cloths, etc., when the rivers are in spate purely based on the belief that these rivers are the species of female deities. Similarly every temple has sacred wells and tanks, and water in these resources are considered pure. There are Hindu mythologies that highlight many variations on the theme of primeval water which shows that water culture and civilization represent human interest with sacredness. Aadiperukku, otherwise called Padinettam Perukku – is peculiar to the Cauvery delta and is intended to celebrate the rising of the river, which is expected to occur invariably on the 18th day of the solar month, Aadi corresponding to the 2nd or 3rd of August every year. Hence "Padinettam perukku" - Padinettu signifies eighteen, and Perukku denotes rising. This festival is observed predominately by women in Tamil Nadu. The Aadiperukku, as a water-ritual, celebrated by women is said to honour Nature. The association of this ritual with fertility, sex and reproduction is both natural and human. This water ritual practice is performed on the banks of Cauvery River, which is described as a rice-cultivation tract. The history of this ritual practice dates back to the ancient period and was patronised by the Kings and royal households. This ritual practice existed in various historical periods. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time when rain is showered in abundance. Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil Month Aadi (mid July to mid August). Since it is celebrated on the 18th day, the festival is also known as Pathinettam perukku. The aadi month falls during the monsoon season and is essentially a thanksgiving to monsoon which fills the rivers – the lifeline of farmers. The festival is celebrated in full fervor by people residing along the Cauvery River bank. ‘Perukku’ means rising – indicating the rising water in rivers. The festival is essentially a form of Nature worship. Special food is prepared on this day and family and friends get together and pray for uninterrupted supply of water and a good harvest. In some communities on Aadi Perukku day, the bride’s parents invite their daughter’s husband and present new clothes. Source: Chennai on line

Aadi Perukku is celebrated normally on the eighteenth day of the Tamil month of Aadi. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time when rain is showered in abundance.This year the festival falls on August 2nd, 2008 . Hundreds of devotees, including newlywed couples, celebrate the `Aadi Perukku' festival by offering worship on the banks of the Rivers. The festival name translates as Adi (month) swell or 18th day swell because the waters of the Kaveri river invariably rise dramatically, often to the 18th step on the 18th day of the month of Adi, corresponding with the second or third of August every year. Perukku’ means rising – indicating the rising water in rivers. The festival is essentially a form of nature worship. Special food is prepared on this day and family and friends get together and pray for uninterrupted supply of water and a good harvest.Adi Perukku is celebrated as fertility and reproduction predominantly by women in Tamil Nadu. Families often bathe in the river, wetting the head (snanam), wear new clothes and perform a consecration (abhishekam) for Kaveri amman. They give visitors auspicious turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves and nuts (vetrilai pakku), fruits and flowers. Some use the day as an excuse to buy jewellery. After the women have performed the puja, families eat at home and rest.

On the festival day we used to wake up early, prepare all the kalanda saadams(variety Of rices), with some sweet, since schools will be given holiday, we all will play in the morning and when evening comes, we pack off all the kalanda sadam, fried papads and will go to coutrallam (surrounded bywaterfalls) for a picnic, have a great time there watching the water from the falls, and the small streams playing till we get tired and after that we will have our food which will be extermely delicious. Men in their white veshtis greet each other and exchange pleasantries. In their beautiful new saris and lovely jewellery, the women form groups and chatter. Fragrant flowers adorn their hair. Most of them are carrying baskets packed with food items. Young girls in silk or satin pavadai skirts compare notes. Unmindful of their new clothes, boys indulge in spinning tops on the dusty track.

Also people will float ahal vilakku (Mud lamps with cotton wicks and til oil) in t water. A belief is there that if the vilakku stays lit for a long time all our dreams will get fulfilled. Newly married couple will change their sacred thread (thali kayuru) with a new oneThe whole of mandapam will be flooded with people. http://jaishreesblog.blogspot.com…

The 18th day of Aadi, is observed as 'Aadi Perukku', a day of offerings. and prayers to the rivers, which mean so much to the lives and prosperity of the people. The day is an occasion for rejoicing particularly for those living on the banks of the all the main rivers, its branches and tributaries.

Whole families go the river bank and offer puja. There is a belief that young girls who do this puja offering Kaadholai (earrings made of palm leaf), Karugamani (black beads) and Kaapparisi (a sweet made of hand pounded rice and jaggery) will be blessed with good husbands. The families spend the evening by the river, eating preparations of rice like puliyodharai, lemon rice etc. Playing to the tune of Aadiperukku folk songs and Kummi by group by young women are the major attractions during this festival.

Aadiperukku, otherwise called Padinettam Perukku – is peculiar to the all the perennial river basins of Tamilnadu and major lakes/ water source areas and is intended to celebrate the water rising levels due to the onset of monsoon, which is expected to occur invariably on the 18th day of the solar month, Aadi corresponding to the 2nd or 3rd of August every year. Hence "Padinettam perukku" - Padinettu signifies eighteen, and Perukku denotes rising. This festival is observed predominately by women in Tamil Nadu. The Aadiperukku, as a water-ritual, celebrated by women is said to honour Nature.

The association of this ritual with fertility and reproduction is both natural and human. This water ritual practice is performed on the banks of Rivers, which is described as a rice-cultivation tract. The history of this ritual practice dates back to the ancient period and was patronised by the Kings and royal households. This ritual practice existed in various historical periods. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time when rain is showered in abundance.

Adiperukku, celebrated for paying respect and tribute to the life sustaining force of water. This festival also welcomes the onset of the much-awaited monsoon. People living on the banks of the rivers offer special pujas to the river. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiper…)

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